Yucca schidigera Roezl. (Agavaceae) has been traditionally used to treat a variety of
diseases including arthritis and rheumatism. Resveratrol, one of the key ingredients in
Yucca, is believed to contribute a part of the health benefits of Yucca. [3] In this article, we
are going to review the mechanism to cure arthritis and a few studies suggesting that
resveratrol may benefit those at risk of rheumatic arthritis and related diseases.
Researchers from University of Cincinnati explained the way to cure arthritis. Arthritis, an
inflammation of the joints, is usually a chronic disease that results from dysregulation of
pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g. tumour necrosis factor and interleukin-1beta) and pro-
inflammatory enzymes that mediate the production of prostaglandins (e.g.
cyclooxygenase-2) and leukotrienes (e.g. lipooxygenase), together with the expression of
adhesion molecules and matrix metalloproteinases, and hyperproliferation of synovial
fibroblasts. All of these factors are regulated by the activation of the transcription factor
nuclear factor-kappaB. Thus, agents that suppress the expression of tumor necrosis
factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta, cyclooxygenase-2, lipooxygenase, matrix
metalloproteinases or adhesion molecules, or suppress the activation of NF-kappaB, all
have potential for the treatment of arthritis. [6]
COX-1 and COX-2
Oxidative stress is related to a number of autoimmune diseases, including cancer and
rheumatoid arthritis. The main source of pathologic “reactive oxygen species” are the
activated polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Resveratrol was found to inhibit isolated
polymorphonuclear leukocytes in a dose dependent manner. [2] Researchers from
Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich demonstrated that resveratrol inhibited the
expression of VEGF, MMP-3, MMP-9 and COX-2 in human articularchondrocytes
stimulated with the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1beta. Furthermore, they demonstrated
resveratrol suppressed apoptosis and inflammatory signaling through its actions on the
NF-kappaB pathway in human chondrocytes. [4] Researchers from University of Graz,
Australia, also showed that resveratrol possessed COX-1 inhibition, COX-2 inhibitory
potential and an LTB 4 formation inhibitory activity in an in vitro study. [3]
Anabolic Mediator
Researches from Rush University Medical Center found resveratrol is a potent anabolic
mediator of bovine intervertebral disc cartilage homeostasis from a vitro study, revealing
its potential as a unique biologic treatment to slow the progression of intervertebral disc
degeneration. [1]
IL-1beta
The inflammatory process plays a pivotal role during the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis,
dominated by catabolic processes initiated by pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-
1beta. Researchers from Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich found resveratrol
reversed significantly IL-1beta-reduced cell proliferation and blocked IL-1beta-stimulated
cell membrane bound- and mature IL-1beta synthesis in chondrocytes. Furthermore,
resveratrol was able to inhibit the IL-1beta-induced degradation of mitochondria and
apoptosis in chondrocytes in a time-dependent manner. They also found that resveratrol
was able to reverse the IL-1beta-induced up-regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS)
in chondrocytes. [5]
Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor
Molnar V and Garai J. from University of Pécs, Hungary, considered the cytokine
macrophage migration inhibitory factor as a crucial factor in the pathogenesis of
rheumatoid arthritis. They found resveratrol was a potent inhibitor as the antipyretic-
analgetic drug acetaminophen. [7]
Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) / Animal Study
Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB), is a pivotal transcription factor involved inthe
activation of the TNF-alpha and IL-1beta genes. Activation of NF-kappaB insynovial cells
is a feature seen in arthritis patients. Resveratrol is potent and specific inhibitor of TNF-
alpha and IL-1beta induced NF-kappaB activation. Researchers from Inönü University
Medical Faculty, Turkey, found intra-articular injections of resveratrol on cartilage and
synovium could significantly decreased cartilage destruction in an experimental rabbit
inflammatory arthritic model. [8]
Health benefits and side effects of resveratrol
Resveratrol Side Effects
Resveratrol Cream
Resveratrol Cancer
Resveratrol Diabetes
Does grape seed extract lower bad cholesterol?
Reference:
[a1] Li X, Phillips FM, An HS, Ellman M, Thonar EJ, Wu W, Park D, Im HJ. The action of
resveratrol, a phytoestrogen found in grapes, on the intervertebral disc. Spine. 2008 Nov 15;33
(24):2586-95. [a2] Perecko T, Jancinova V, Drabikova K, Nosal R, Harmatha J. Structure-
efficiency relationship in derivatives of stilbene. Comparison of resveratrol, pinosylvin and
pterostilbene. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2008 Oct;29(5):802-5. [a3]: Wenzig EM, Oleszek W,
Stochmal A, Kunert O, Bauer R. Influence of phenolic constituents from Yucca schidigera bark on
arachidonate metabolism in vitro.J Agric Food Chem. 2008 Oct 8;56(19):8885-90. Epub 2008
Sep 9. [a4] Shakibaei M, Csaki C, Nebrich S, Mobasheri A. Resveratrol suppresses interleukin-
1beta-induced inflammatory signaling and apoptosis in human articular chondrocytes: potential
for use as a novel nutraceutical for the treatment of osteoarthritis. Biochem Pharmacol. 2008 Dec
1;76(11):1426-39. Epub 2008 Jun 3. [a5] Csaki C, Keshishzadeh N, Fischer K, Shakibaei M.
Regulation of inflammation signalling by resveratrol in human chondrocytes in vitro. Biochem
Pharmacol. 2008 Feb 1;75(3):677-87. Epub 2007 Sep 18. [a6] Khanna D, Sethi G, Ahn KS,
Pandey MK, Kunnumakkara AB, Sung B, Aggarwal A, Aggarwal BB. Natural products as a gold
mine for arthritis treatment. Curr Opin Pharmacol. 2007 Jun;7(3):344-51. Epub 2007 May 1. [a7]
Molnar V, Garai J. Plant-derived anti-inflammatory compounds affect MIF tautomerase activity. Int
Immunopharmacol. 2005 May;5(5):849-56. Epub 2005 Jan 27. [a8] Elmali N, Baysal O, Harma A,
Esenkaya I, Mizrak B. Effects of resveratrol in inflammatory arthritis. Inflammation. 2007 Apr;30(1-
2):1-6.-----
diseases including arthritis and rheumatism. Resveratrol, one of the key ingredients in
Yucca, is believed to contribute a part of the health benefits of Yucca. [3] In this article, we
are going to review the mechanism to cure arthritis and a few studies suggesting that
resveratrol may benefit those at risk of rheumatic arthritis and related diseases.
Researchers from University of Cincinnati explained the way to cure arthritis. Arthritis, an
inflammation of the joints, is usually a chronic disease that results from dysregulation of
pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g. tumour necrosis factor and interleukin-1beta) and pro-
inflammatory enzymes that mediate the production of prostaglandins (e.g.
cyclooxygenase-2) and leukotrienes (e.g. lipooxygenase), together with the expression of
adhesion molecules and matrix metalloproteinases, and hyperproliferation of synovial
fibroblasts. All of these factors are regulated by the activation of the transcription factor
nuclear factor-kappaB. Thus, agents that suppress the expression of tumor necrosis
factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta, cyclooxygenase-2, lipooxygenase, matrix
metalloproteinases or adhesion molecules, or suppress the activation of NF-kappaB, all
have potential for the treatment of arthritis. [6]
COX-1 and COX-2
Oxidative stress is related to a number of autoimmune diseases, including cancer and
rheumatoid arthritis. The main source of pathologic “reactive oxygen species” are the
activated polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Resveratrol was found to inhibit isolated
polymorphonuclear leukocytes in a dose dependent manner. [2] Researchers from
Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich demonstrated that resveratrol inhibited the
expression of VEGF, MMP-3, MMP-9 and COX-2 in human articularchondrocytes
stimulated with the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1beta. Furthermore, they demonstrated
resveratrol suppressed apoptosis and inflammatory signaling through its actions on the
NF-kappaB pathway in human chondrocytes. [4] Researchers from University of Graz,
Australia, also showed that resveratrol possessed COX-1 inhibition, COX-2 inhibitory
potential and an LTB 4 formation inhibitory activity in an in vitro study. [3]
Anabolic Mediator
Researches from Rush University Medical Center found resveratrol is a potent anabolic
mediator of bovine intervertebral disc cartilage homeostasis from a vitro study, revealing
its potential as a unique biologic treatment to slow the progression of intervertebral disc
degeneration. [1]
IL-1beta
The inflammatory process plays a pivotal role during the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis,
dominated by catabolic processes initiated by pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-
1beta. Researchers from Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich found resveratrol
reversed significantly IL-1beta-reduced cell proliferation and blocked IL-1beta-stimulated
cell membrane bound- and mature IL-1beta synthesis in chondrocytes. Furthermore,
resveratrol was able to inhibit the IL-1beta-induced degradation of mitochondria and
apoptosis in chondrocytes in a time-dependent manner. They also found that resveratrol
was able to reverse the IL-1beta-induced up-regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS)
in chondrocytes. [5]
Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor
Molnar V and Garai J. from University of Pécs, Hungary, considered the cytokine
macrophage migration inhibitory factor as a crucial factor in the pathogenesis of
rheumatoid arthritis. They found resveratrol was a potent inhibitor as the antipyretic-
analgetic drug acetaminophen. [7]
Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) / Animal Study
Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB), is a pivotal transcription factor involved inthe
activation of the TNF-alpha and IL-1beta genes. Activation of NF-kappaB insynovial cells
is a feature seen in arthritis patients. Resveratrol is potent and specific inhibitor of TNF-
alpha and IL-1beta induced NF-kappaB activation. Researchers from Inönü University
Medical Faculty, Turkey, found intra-articular injections of resveratrol on cartilage and
synovium could significantly decreased cartilage destruction in an experimental rabbit
inflammatory arthritic model. [8]
Health benefits and side effects of resveratrol
Resveratrol Side Effects
Resveratrol Cream
Resveratrol Cancer
Resveratrol Diabetes
Does grape seed extract lower bad cholesterol?
Reference:
[a1] Li X, Phillips FM, An HS, Ellman M, Thonar EJ, Wu W, Park D, Im HJ. The action of
resveratrol, a phytoestrogen found in grapes, on the intervertebral disc. Spine. 2008 Nov 15;33
(24):2586-95. [a2] Perecko T, Jancinova V, Drabikova K, Nosal R, Harmatha J. Structure-
efficiency relationship in derivatives of stilbene. Comparison of resveratrol, pinosylvin and
pterostilbene. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2008 Oct;29(5):802-5. [a3]: Wenzig EM, Oleszek W,
Stochmal A, Kunert O, Bauer R. Influence of phenolic constituents from Yucca schidigera bark on
arachidonate metabolism in vitro.J Agric Food Chem. 2008 Oct 8;56(19):8885-90. Epub 2008
Sep 9. [a4] Shakibaei M, Csaki C, Nebrich S, Mobasheri A. Resveratrol suppresses interleukin-
1beta-induced inflammatory signaling and apoptosis in human articular chondrocytes: potential
for use as a novel nutraceutical for the treatment of osteoarthritis. Biochem Pharmacol. 2008 Dec
1;76(11):1426-39. Epub 2008 Jun 3. [a5] Csaki C, Keshishzadeh N, Fischer K, Shakibaei M.
Regulation of inflammation signalling by resveratrol in human chondrocytes in vitro. Biochem
Pharmacol. 2008 Feb 1;75(3):677-87. Epub 2007 Sep 18. [a6] Khanna D, Sethi G, Ahn KS,
Pandey MK, Kunnumakkara AB, Sung B, Aggarwal A, Aggarwal BB. Natural products as a gold
mine for arthritis treatment. Curr Opin Pharmacol. 2007 Jun;7(3):344-51. Epub 2007 May 1. [a7]
Molnar V, Garai J. Plant-derived anti-inflammatory compounds affect MIF tautomerase activity. Int
Immunopharmacol. 2005 May;5(5):849-56. Epub 2005 Jan 27. [a8] Elmali N, Baysal O, Harma A,
Esenkaya I, Mizrak B. Effects of resveratrol in inflammatory arthritis. Inflammation. 2007 Apr;30(1-
2):1-6.-----
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